Method of and apparatus for making composition cork slabs



Dec. 22, 1925 1,566,896

- v c. E. MCMANUS METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING COMPOSITION CORKSLABS Filed Jane 27, 1923 Z-Sheets-Sh'eet 1 (Q m N Dec. 22, 1925-1,566,896

C. E. M MANUS METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING COMPOSITION CORK SLABSFiled June 27, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 22, 1925. 1,566,896

c. E. MOMANUS METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING COMPOSITION CORK SLABSFiled June 27, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Dec. 22, 1925.

uurrso STATES CHARLES E. MGMANUS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKIN COMPOSITION CORK SLABS Applicationfiled June 27, 1923. Serial No. 648,110.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHAaLns. E. Molllaxus, a citizen of the United.States, residing atthe borough of Manhattan, in the city, county, andState of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inthe Methods of and Apparatus for Making Composition Cork Slabs, of whichthe following is a specification, reference being had therein totheaccompanying drawings, which form a part thereof.

My invention relates to a method of, and apparatus for, makingcomposition cork slabs, and more particularly to a method and anapparatus by which such slabs will be made by substantially continuousoperation during which the cork composition will be delivered to, andcompacted within a mold, and while within the mold will be successivelysubjected to an elevated temperaturc, and a relatively lower temperatureunder conditions which will ensure substantial uniformity in theapplication of heat to the entire mass'of composition cork and theadhesive or hinder which is used as a thin coating for the corkgranules.

Heretofore in the manufacture of cork slabs, my practice has been todeliver succeeding charges of cork granules having a thin coating ofadhesive or hinder, to with in a suitably reinforced mold, each chargeafter delivery to the mold space being compactcd by a mechanicallyactuated plunger or ram. Such molds are adapted for use in making slabsof fairly large superficial area,

' ly adjacent the walls of the mold.

The practice I have above referred to, while highly efficient as far asthe production of cork slabs is concerned, is anintermittent processrequiring the filling of one mold at a time. and the mounting andremoval of this mold in the machine by hand,

. thus reducing the capacity output of each u'nit in a plant andincreasing the labor required in producing the slabs. Furtherm y re sonof th size of the la s produced and the necessity for great rigidity ofthe walls of the mold structure, the molds themselves are heavy and moreor less difficultto handle, not only in relation to the packing unit,but in relation to the baker or vulcanizer. lVith such molds I havefound it necessary to provide a knock-down structure at least to theextent of having one of the sides of the mold removable so as to permitthe drawing of the cork slab through the side of the mold.

In order to secure the desired uniform density of the cork compositionthroughout the slabs, I have found it essential to pack ,these slabs bya compacting mechanism acting through one of the narrow edges of themold as it is impossible to secure the necessary uniform distribution ofthe composition cork in granular form through a large area and avoid theformation of spots of greater density than elsewhere. Furthermore, if itwere to be attempted to apply a compacting pressure throughout a largearea, the power required would be so great, and the result sounsatisfactory, that the commercial production of cork slabs by suchmethods would be an impossibility.

By my present invent1on, I am enabled to produce cork slabs of thedesired dimensions by a continuing operation, including the progressivefilling of the molds with succeeding charges and the compaction of eachcharge after its delivery to the mold,

the baking or vulcanizing of the contents of a mold, or of the binderoradhesive therein, for the purpose of firmly cementing the various corkgranules together, the subsequent cooling of the molds and theircontents to complete the setting of at least that portion of theadhesive which is adjacent the surface of the slab while in the mold,and the power ejection of such slabs from the mold at a time and underconditions permitting the immediate return of the molds to the packingmechanism, and thus minimize the number of molds necessary to keep theplant in continuous operation with a minimum investment for theoperation of a plant of the desired capacity.

By the method of my invention, and with an apparatus for use inthepractice thereof, I am enabled to employ rigid molds so con structedand arranged .as to permit the introduction of succeeding charges ofgranular cork composition through one narrow edge thereof, and theapplication of compacting pressure to each charge throughout the limitedarea defined by this narrow edge, with a resultant uniform compaction ofthe charge and the production of a slab wherein the entire mass ofcomposition cork'will be of sufficiently uniform density.

, In the ejection of the completed slab, dismemberment of the mold isnot required, particularly as the slab is ejected at a time when thecondition of the cork composition is such as to offer a minimumresistance to movement of the slab due to any bondin action between theadhesive and the wall 0 the mold. The entire mass of composition corkforming the slab, at the time that it is ejected from the mold, issutiiciently warm to permit the ready breaking of any slight bond whichmay existbetween the surface are mounted side by side upon Wheeledcarriages, but in spaced relation so as to not only maintain a fixeddistance between the molds to facilitate the action of the charging andcompacting mechanism, but also to provide space between succeeding moldsthrough which heated air may freely circulate so asto ensure theapplication of heat about every portion of the outer surface of the moldand the desired rapidity in bringing the contents of the mold to atemperature to make the adhesive or hinder active. At the same time suchspaces between and about the various molds will facilitate the radiationof heat. while the molds are passing through the low temperature zoneafter leavingthe high temperature zone. To permit the handling of eachvehicle as a unit, I preferably close the bottom of each.

mold space by means of a plate carried by the vehicle itself, themovement of which. plate in one direction will close the bottom of themolds upon the vehicle, and in 55 the'other direction, will expose theopen bottom of the mold to afford clearance for the passage of acompleted slab, as it is ejected from the mold.

The invention consists primarily in a method ofmaking composition corkslabs consisting of intermittently moving a sequence of closelyadjacent, spaced molds with relation to a packing mechanism adapted toprogressively compact succeeding charges of granular cork having a thincoating of an adhesive or binder, in alternate molds, said molds eachhaving an angular mold space therein of relatively greater height thanwidth and having a narrowtop opening, delivering coat-ed granular corkin measured quantities through the narrow top opening of the moldsintermediate those in which cork is being compacted, inserting a plug inthe open top of each mold after the final charge of granular cor-k hasbeen compacted therein, and thereafter successively passing the moldsthrough a. high temperature'zone and a low temperature zone, tocondition and set the thin coating of adhesive or binder upon the corkgranules; and in such other novel steps and practices, and in the novelfeatures of construction of an apparatus for practicing said method. allas hereinafter set forth and described, and more particularly pointedout in the claims hereto appended.

Referring to the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a side view of an apparatus embodying my invention condensedcentrally thereof, and partly in vertical section;

Fig. 2 is a. section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line F ig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line ll of Fig. 1, showing the ejectingmechanism; and

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 55 of Fig.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views.

In the practice of my method, I employ asequence of molds mounted inspaced relation to each other upon a movable carrier. Each of thesemolds has a mold cavity rectangular in cross-section with a narrow topopening, the molds being of relatively greater length and height thanwidth so as to permit the introduction of composition cork, and thecompaction of such composition by pressure exerted, through the narrowtop opening, so as to permit the gradual filling up of this slab bysucceeding charges of composition cork. Each charge is compactedentirely indcpemlcntly of every othc' and to substantially the sameextent.

resultingin substantially uniform densit v throughout the entire mass.The compaction is efi'ectedby means of a single continuing pressure, andnot by a tamping action. and consequently with a very small quantity ofcork composition in each charge, the power required to compact eachcharge is not excessive although greater than is required for tamping.The carriage containi ng -the'inolds is then advance-d intcrmittent lv,or with a step by step movement, in relation to a packing mechanism.consisting of a sequence of packing members of radually decreasinglengths in the direction of movemold, will leave a space toward the topof the mold which is filled with a plug, the carriage with the moldsthereon thereafter being s11ccess iyely passed through a hightemperature zone and a low, temperature zone, the high temperature zoneserving to make the adhesive or hinder active, and

i partially set the same, while the effect upon the mold while passingthrough the low temperature zone, will be to complete any setting actionby cooling the entire mass, and particularly the portions thereof adacent the walls of themolds.

By mounting the molds in spaced relation, the heated air within the hightemperature zone, and the cooling air in the succeedlng low temperaturezone, will act with substantial uniformity throughout the entire mass'of composition cork within the molds in a minimum of time, it beingessential that the width of the molds, or the narrowest dimensionof themold cavity, shall range from one to two inches in order to afford asutliciently thin mass thereof to facilitate the absorption of heatthereby within a period of time sufficient to make the binder throughout the entire mass active, without injury to that portion thereof, orto the cork granules, adjacent the walls of the mold.

After'the molds and their contents have been cooled for a suflicientinterval, the top plug and a closing means for the bottom of the moldsare removed, and the molds, with the same movement by which they are fedwith relation to the packing mechanism and through the high and the lowtemperature zones, are'broughtsuccessively into relation to an ejectingmechanism by which pressure is applied along one narrow edge of the slabformed within the molds to force this slab" from within the molds,without the necessity of removing the molds from the carriage or openingsame except as to the topiiand bottom thereof.

The slabs thus produced will be of substantially uniform densitythroughout, and will. possess no voids or openings such as are found innatural cork, so that these slabs may be readily liced into thin strips.from one-sixteenth of an inch upward in thickness,

which strips are suitable for use in the man- I ufactur'e of gaskets,sealingdisks for bottle caps, andvarious other surfacing material andvarious other articles of manufacture;

The temperature maintained in the high temperature zone may varyaccording to the adhesive or binder used, as willthe duration of thepassage of molds through this zone, a temperature as high as 400 to 500F. being permissible without likelihood of injury to the cork.

While packing the various charges by the application of pressure at thesmallest crosssectional area of the contents of the mold, will securesubstantial uniformity in the density of the contents of the mold, equaldistribution of the charge throughout the mold carrier is not alwayspossible, nor is it always possibleto have each charge identical in bulkwith every other charge. The trend.

ency of the mass to expand, however, while passing through the hightemperature zone, and while the adhesive or binder is plastic, will havethe effect of developing such pressure internally of the mold as willcause a readjustment of the cork granules in the mass, and. theequalization of pressure throughout the entire mass so as to correct anyirregularities in the mechanical compaction thereof, and bring theentire mass of the composition cork Within the mold to substantially thesame density.

The slab produced is highly resilient throughout, and may be readilysliced by means of an ordinary band-knife slicing, machine. The sheetsproduced possess a degree of flexibility equal to, or possibly evengreater than, that of natural cork.

In the practice of my method or art, I empl y an apparatus in which thecharging and packing unit consists of a headlO hav ing a sequence ofpluhgers 11, 12, 13, 14, 15

and 16, depending therefrom, each of these plungers having an oblongangular head 17 of slightly smaller dimensions than the open top of thevarious mold cavities. The plungers 11 to 16 inclusiveare graduated inlength, the plunger 16' being relatively shorter than the plunger 11,there being a proportionate decrease in length from the plunger 11 tothe plunger 16.

Mounted above the headlO is a hopper 18 adapted to receive thecomposition cork to be delivered to the molds, this composition 'corkconsisting of granular cork, the various granules of which have a thincoating of a suitable adhesive or hinder responsive to heat for makingthe same active. Passing from adjacent said hopper 18 through the head10 and intermediate the succeeding plungers 11 to 16 iiiclusive, are asequence of chutes 1,!) through each of which a measured quantity ofcomposition cork is delivered to a mold intermediate those upon whichthe various plunger-s are operative.

I Intermediate the hopper 18 and the vari' ous 'cl'utes 19, I provide asuitable measur' ingdevice, which in the form of the invention shownconsists of a slide 20 having sages between succeeding molds. The topand the bottom of each mold isinar'row and I measuring pockets 21therein adapted to be alternately brought into register with theopenings 22 in the bottom of the hopper, and with the chutes 19 by amechanism consisting, in the form of the invention shown, of a rockarm'23, one arm of.whichis acted upon'by a cam 24 carried by, andmovable with, the head 10.

Acting upon the head 10 are suitable counter-weights 25 for assistingthe actuat ing means for the head 10 during the movement of the plungersfrom the mold spaces.

The head 10 is actuated by means of two pairs of oppositely disposedcrank wheels 26 and 27 having formed thereon intermeshing gears, whichcrank wheels are respectively connected by means of the rods 28 with thesaid head 10.

Extending below the various plunger-s 11 to 16 are oppositely disposedarallel tracks 29 upon which a sequence -0 carriages 30 are adapted toreceiverintermittent vmovement in any desired manner, as by hand. Saidcarriages 30 have permanently mounted thereon in spaced relation to eachother a sequence of molds 31 spaced apart by means of the spaces'32,thus leaving air pasof much smaller cross-sectional area than the sidesthereof, the top of each mold being adapted to be closed by a plug 33afterthe mold has been completely charged with the composition cork, andthe bottom thereof being closed by means of a movable plate 34 mountedupon each carriage. The bottom plate 34 may be actuated by a rack andgear mechani m 35, or in any other desired manner, the plate havingspaced transverse bars adapted to be so positioned as to eithercompletely'close, or completely open, the bot tom of each mold cavity.The tops of the molds upon each-carriage are connected by a cap plate 36having upwardly flared openings therein registering with the cavity ofeach mold space, to facilit ate the introducmolds upon each carriage 30.

1 extending through and beyond this oven so" tion of the granular corkthereinto and, the adjustment of the carriage by the various plungerheads 17 in the event of slight variation in the feeding movement of thecarmac or carriages 30. a

bove each of the tracks 29 areside guides 37 adapted .to be engaged byantifriction ,l'olltirs 38 mounted at spaced intervals in metal channels39 connectingthe various Adjacent the last or shortest plunger 16, is anoven 40 brought to the-desired high temperature .bymeans of gas burners41, or any other suitable heating device, the tracks 29 as to permitth'e'completely packed moldsto 4 be successively passed therethrough andto be exposed fer a sufficient period to complots the Setting of theadhesive or binder,

of the packing mechanism.

m ss s After leaving the low temperature zone, the tracks 29 pass to ane'ecting mechanism by means of which the ally formed an completed slabsmay be successively forced from the molds. This mechanism comprises areciprocatory head 42 mounted upon suitable vertical guides 43 andcarrying a lunger 44 havinga rectangular head 45 0 substan'tially thesame configuration as, but slightly smaller than, the horizontalcrosssectional areas oi the cavity of each mold.

This plunger 44 is of substantially the same length as the plunger 11 soas to completely eject the formed slab from the mold.

The head 42 is acted upon by counterweights 46, and is reciprocated bymeans of the oppositely disposed crank wheels 47 connected by means ofthe rods48 with said head 42. The throw of the 'Wheels 47 and theirangular speed is coincident with that of the wheels 26-27, and so timedas'to impartto the ejecting plunger 4445 a movement coinciding with thatof the various.

packing plungers.

Adjiacent the ejecting mechanism, I provide side guides 49 adapted toengage the rollers 38 upon the various molds.

As the last. mold upon each carriage 30 haslthe cork slab ejectedtherefrom, said carriage may be restored to adjacent the packing member,and thus permit a substantially continuous operation of the machine witha minimum number of molds.

Below the ejecting plunger 44 45 is a chute 50 adapted to receive theslabs 51 as they leave the mold, and. cause them to move out of the pathof the next slab to be ejected by said plungen The operation ,of theherein described mechanism is substantially as follows A. sequ'enceotcal'riages30 are mounted upon the rails 29 and the bottom plate 34 soset as to close the bottoms of thc molds upbn' each such carriage. thecarriages then being advanced intermittently, or with a step by stepmovement, a distance equalling that between the vertical centersv ofsucceeding molds. After each movement of thecarria'ges, power is appliedto the wheels 26 and 27 ,thus causing the head 10 to be broughtdownwardly so as to exert a continuin pressure upon the composition corkWbic which are immediately below each of the plungers 11 to 16."

While the plungers are in their elevated position, ,the cam 24 will haveactuated the rock shaft 23 so as 'to position the openings in the slidebelow the openings 22 in the bottom of the hopper 18, permitting cork tofill each of the pockets 21 in said slide 20.

Hence as the cam 24: descends with the head 10, the various pockets 21will be brought into register with the chutes 19, the open lower ends ofwhich will he in register with the open tops of the mold openings in ad-Vance of each plunger or ram 11 to 16 inclusive. It will be understoodthat the crosssectional dipensions-of each of the pockets 21 and "thechutes 19 is substantially the same as that of the molds, so that thecork comositioh delivered to each mold with each actuation of the slide20, will be substantially equally distributed throughout the mold spaceor cavity, and that this cork when delivered to the mold will be looseso that the initial compressing action by the various plungers, upontheir next actuation, will have a tendency to effect a lateral spreadingof the composition cork in the event of slight inequality in thedistribution of the cork composition through the medium of the chargingmechanism.

As a mold progresses through the packing mechanism so that it will besuccessively brought into operative relation to the plungers 11 to 16,the volume of cork composition delivered to same will be progressivelyincreased, until each mold is completely filled,

except to the extent of the space left as a result of the compaction ofthe final charge by the plunger 16. It'will also be observed that thestepped or graduated lengths of the plungers, will permit a number ofmolds to be simultaneously packed, the graduation of the length of theplungers compensating for the progressively increased volume of corkcomposition present in each mold.

Before the various carriages are brought into the operative relation tothe packing members, the bottom or plate 34 of each carriage is actuatedto bring the bars thereof below the-mold space or cavity, thus closingthe bottom of the mold, and after leavingv the packing mechanism, aclosure plug 33 is inserted in the open top of each mold. After themolds have been packed and plugged in the manner described, theadvancing movement will ultimately bring the carriages to within thebakeror vuleanizer 40 through which they will progress for a suflicientperiod to cause the elevated temperature of this oven to properlycondition theadhesive with which the cork granules are coated, so as tofirmly bond these granules together. The oven 40 must be of a length toafford the desired time interval duringb which the molds with theircontents to an extent to permit this heat to penetrate the entire massof composition corkwithout likelihood of injury to any portion thereof.

After leaving the high temperature zone of the baker or vulcanizer, thecarriages with the molds thereon, will continue to pass along the tracks29, exposed to atmospheric air, which circulates entirely about eachmold and thus gradually reduces the temperature thereof and of thecontents, as the result of radiation of heat from all six surfaces ofthe mold. As the carriages and the molds thereon approach the ejectingmechanism, an operator will remove the plug 33 from each mold, since bythis time the composition of the cork slab within the mold will besufficiently cooled to have caused slight shrinkage thereof as comparedwith its maximum expansion while within the high temperature zone. Aseach mold comes beneath the ejecting plunger 44-45, power will beapplied to this plunger by the operator, causing the head 42 of saidplunger to descend,'and thus force the slab from within the mold spacewhile it and the walls of the mold are still slightly warm.

In order to permit the ejection of the slab, the .mechanism 35 or othermechanism used for this purpose, is actuated to impart movement to theplate 34 to an extent to bring the space between the bars thereofbeneath the mold space so that the slab can pass through the bottom ofthe car upon the chute 50 when the plunger 4H5 descends.

The movements of the packing plungers and the ejecting plunger need notbe rapid, although they must be timed with relation to each other, sinceone mold will be com-' chine with a small equipment of molds.

'l he mold space or cavity while limited as to its width to from one totwo inches in order to secure an effective production of corkcomposition slabs, may have any desired ,'ed to progressively height orlength, the height being largely determined by the number of compactingplungers used and the resistance encountered by the ejecting mechanism.The-use of the spacers 32,in.addition'to securing the desired I spacingof the molds for the purposes heretofore described, also serve as bracesforthe side walls of the mold for imparting the desired rigiditythereto; The angle bars 39 and to plates 36 will serve to maintain thed'esired accurate alinement of the molds upon each carriage, the latteralso serving, as stated, to (orrect any slight loss of alinement due toirregularities in the feeding movement of the carriages.

An. apparatus embodying my invention need not be of high speed, since asingle slab will cut into sheets having an aggregate surface ofapproximately one to two hundred square feet, and even with a machine oflow capacity, a very high output of such sheets may be secured. Vtith amultiple plunger machine and a substantially continuous operation as tothe packing, baking or vulcanizing and ejection of the completed slab,the capacity may be very much increased as compared with a singleplunger machine, with much less labor required for the same grossoutput. 'It is not my intention to limit the invention to the precisedetails of construction shown in the accompanying drawings, it be mgapparent that such may be varied with-- out departing from the spiritand scope of the invention.

Having described the invention, *what ll claim as new and desire to haveprotected by Letters Patent, is

1. A method of making composition cork slabs consisting ofintermittently moving a sequence of closely adjacent, spaced molds withrelation to a packing mechanism adaptcompact succeeding charges ofgranular cork having a thin coating of an adhesive or binder, inalternate molds, said molds each having an angular mold space therein ofrelatively greater height than width and having a narrow top opening,delivering coatedgranular cork in measured quantities through the narrowtop opening of. the molds intermediate those in which cork. is beingcompacted, inserting a plug in the open top of each mold after the finalcharge of granular cork has been compacted therein, and thereaftersuccessively passing the molds through a high temperature zone and a lowtemperature zone. to condition and set the thin coating of adhesive orhinder upon the cork granules.

2. A method of making composition 'cork slabs consisting ofintermittently moving a v track structure extending adjacent saidcomcharges of granular cork having a thin coat-. 'ing of an adhesive orbinder, in alternate molds, said molds each having an angular mold spacetherein of relatively greater height than width'and having a narrow topopening, delivering coated granular-cork in measured quantities throughthe narrow top opening of the-molds intermediate those in which cork isbeing compacted, inserting a plug in the open top of each mold after thefinal charge of granular cork has been'compactedtherein, thereaftersuccessively passing the molds through a high temperature zone and a lowtemperature zone, to condi tion and set the thin coating of adhesive orbinder upon the cork granules, and applying ejecting pressure to thenarrow edge of the slab after the mold leaves the low temperature zone.v

3. An apparatus for making composition cork slabs embodying therein acompacting mechanism, an oven, means-whereby an elevated temperature maybe maintained in said oven, an ejecting mechanism, a continuous 9opacting mechanism, through said oven and adjacent said ejectingmechanism, said ejecting mechanism being spaced away from said oven toform a low temperature zone, a carriage=movable upon said trackstructure, a plurality of molds thereon, and removable v. means closingthe bottoms of said f molds, whereby said molds may progressively havecomposition cork compacted therein, be subjected to an elevatedtemperature while pass- 1 ing through said oven, and to a cooling actionwhile passing from said oven to said ejecting mechanism, and have thecompletely formed composition cork slabs ejected therefrom after leavingsaid low temperature 103 zone.-

4. An apparatus for making composition cork slabs en'ibodying therein asequence of plungers of progressively decreasing, graduated lengths,means imparting 'reciproca- 11 tory movement to said plunger-s, a hopperadapted to receive composition cork, means operating in synchron'isi'nwith said plungers, whereby a measured quantity of composition cork isdelivered from said hopper to molds in advance of each of said plungers,an oven, means whereby an elevated temperature may be maintained in saidoven, an ejecting mechanism, a continuous track structure extendingadjacent'said plungers, v

upon 'saldtrack structure, aplurality of molds thereon, said molds beingso positioned that when said plungers respectively sequence of closelyadjacent, spaced molds are operative upon the composition cork] withrelation to a packing mechanism adapt ed to progressively compactsucceeding within alternate molds, a charge of compo sition cork will bedelivered to each mold adjoining that upon which a plunger is operative,and removable means closing the bottoms of said molds, wherebysaid'molds may progres sively have composition cork compacted therein,be subjected to an elevated temspace of narrow width and havingrelatively greater lengthand height,-removable means .closing thebottoms of said molds respectively, a compacting mechanism including aplunger having a rectangular head of slightly lesser cross-sectionalarea than the crosssectional area of the'mold-space, adjacent oneportion of said track structure, means delivering a measured quantity ofcomposition cork to the mold after each actuation of said plunger, an'oven adjacent another portion of said track structure, means maintainingan elevated temperature within said oven, an ejecting mechanism adjacentan other portion of said track structure and spaced away from said ovento form a low temperature zone, whereby said molds may progressivelyhave composition cork compacted therein, be subjected to an elevatedtemperature While passing through said oven, and to al' cooling actionwhile passing from said oven to said ejecting mechanism, and have thecompletely formed composition cork slabs ejected therefrom after leavingsaid low'temperature zone.

6. An apparatus vfor making composition cork slabs embodying therein atrack structure, acarriage movable upon same, a plurality of moldsthereon each having a mold space of narrow width and having relativelygreater length and height, removable means closing the bottoms of saidmolds respectively, a sequence of plungers of progressively decreasing,graduated lengths,

adjacent one portion of said track structure, and each having arectangular head of slightly lesser cross-sectional area than thecross-sectional area of the mold space, means imparting reciprocatorymovement to said plungers, a hopper adapted to receive composition cork,means operating in synchro nism with said plungers, whereby a measuredquantity of composition cork is delivered from said hopper to molds inadvance of each'of said plunger-s, said molds being so positioned thatwhen said plungers respectively are operative upon the composition corkwithin alternate molds, a charge of composition cork will be deliveredto each 1 oven,

mold adjoining that upon which the plunger is operative, an ovenadjacent another portion of said track structure, means maintaining anelevated temperature within said an ejecting mechanism adjacent anotherportion of said track structure and :spaced away from said oven to forma low temperature zone, whereby said molds may progressively havecomposition cork compacted therein, be subjected to an elevatedtemperature while passing through said oven, and to a cooling actionwhile passing from said oven to said e'ecting-mechanism, and have thecompletely ormed composition cork slabs ejected therefrom after leavingsaid low temperature zone.

7.'An apparatus for making composition cork slabs embodying therein asequence of plungers of progressively decreasing, graduated lengths, avertically reciprocatory head carrying all of said plungers, crank"wheels, rods connecting said crank wheels to said head, whereby all ofsaid plungers will be simultaneously reciprocated to the same extent, ahopper adapted to receive composition cork, means operating insynchronism with vsaid plungers, whereby a measured quantity ofcomposition cork is delivered from said ho per to molds in advance ofeach of said p ungers, an oven,'means whereby an elevated temperaturemay be maintained in said oven; an ejecting mechanism, a continuoustrack structure extending adjacent said plun ers, through said oven andadjacent said e ecting mechanism, said ejectmg mechanism being spacedaway from said oven to form a low temperature zone, a carriage movableupon said track structure, a plurality of molds thereon, said moldsbeing so positioned that when said plungers respectively are operativeupon the composition cork within alternate molds, a charge ofcomposition corkwill be delivered to each mold adjoining that uponwhicha plunger is operative, and removable means closing the bottoms of saidmolds whereby said molds may progressively have composition corkcompactedtherein, be subjected to an elevated temperature while passingthrough said oven, and to a cooling action while pass- 1 slide toadjacent the open tops of molds positioned with relation tosaid'plungers, op-

chutes to cause a measured quantity of composition cork.to be deliveredfrom said hopper to molds in advance of each of said plungers, an oven,means Whereby an elevated temperature may be maintained in said ,oven,an ejecting mechanism, a continuous.- track structure extending ad acentsaid plungers, through said oven and adjacent said ejecting mechanism,said ejecting mechanism being spaced away from said oven to form a lowtemperature zone, a carriage movable upon said track structure, a

plurality of molds thereon, said molds being so positioned that whensaid plungersrespectively are operative upon the composition cork withinalternate molds, a charge of composition cork will be delivered to eachmold adjoining that upon which a plunger is operative, and removablemeans closing the bottoms of said molds, whereby said molds mayprogressively have composition cork compacted therein, be subjected toan elevated temperature while passing through said oven,and.to a coolingaction while passing from said oven to said ejecting mechanism, and havethe completely formed comosition cork slabs successively ejected there-.

rom after leaving said low temperature zone.

9. An apparatus for making composition cork slabs embodying therein acompacting mechanism, an oven, means whereby an elevated temperature maybe maintained in' said oven, an ejecting mechanism, a continuous trackstructure extending adjacent said compacting mechanism, through saidoven and adjacent said ejecting mechanism, said ejecting mechanism beingspaced away from said oven to form a low temperature zone, a carriagemovable upon said track struc-, ture, a plurality of molds thereon,guides upon opposite sides of said molds adjacentsaid compactingmechanism to prevent lateral movement of the molds while the plunger isoperative in relation thereto, and removable means closing the bottomsof said molds, whereby said molds may progressively have compositioncork compacted therein, be subjected to an elevated temperature Whilepassing through said oven, and to a cooling action while passing fromsaid oven to said ejecting mechanism, and have the completelyformedcomposition cork slabs ejected therefrom after leaving said lowtemperature zone. I e 7 1.0. An apparatus for making composition corkslabs embodyin therein a sequence of plungers of progressivelydecreasing, graduated lengths, a. vertically reciprocatory head carryingall of said plungers, crank wheels, rods connecting said crank Wheels tosaid head, whereby all of said plungers will be simultaneouslyreciprocated to the same extent, a hopper adapted to receive compositioncork, and having a sequence of spaced openings in the bottom thereof, aslide mounted below said. openings and having measuring pockets therein,chutes leading from adjacent said slide to adjacent the open top ofmolds positioned with relation to said plungers, a rocking arm, one endof which is connected with said slide, a cam carried by said head andoperative upon the other end of arm whereby with each actuation of saidhead, the pockets in said slide will be alternately registered with theopenings 1n the bottom of said. hopper and said chutes to cause ameasured 'uantity of composition cork to be delivered from said hopperto molds in advance of each of said plungers, an oven, means whereby anelevated temperature may be maintained in said oven, an ejectingmechanism, a continuous track structure extending adjacentsaid plungers,through said even and adjacent said ejecting mechanism, said ejectingmechanism being spaced away from said oven to form alow temperaturezone, a carriage movable upon said track structure, a plurality of moldsthereon, said molds being so positioned that Whensa1d plungersrespectively are operative upon the composition cork within alternatemolds, a charge of compostition cork will be delivered to each moldadjoining that upon which a plunger is operative, and removable meansclosing the bottoms of said molds, whereby said molds may progressivelyhave composition cork compacted therein, be subjected to an elevatedtemperature while passing through said oven, and to a cooling act-ionwhile passing from said oven to said ejecting mechanism, and have thecompletely formed composition cork slabs sm'zcessivelvv ejectedtherefrom. after leaving said lovv temperature zone.

11. An apparatus for making composition cork'slabs embodying therein acompacting mechanism, an-oven, means whereby an elevated temperature maybe maintained in. said oven, an ejecting mechanism. a continuous trackstructure extending adjacent said compacting mechanism, through saidoven and adjacent said ejecting mechanism, said ejecting mechanism beingspaced away from said oven to form a low temperature zone, a carriagemovable upon said track structure, a plurality of molds secured to, andmovable with, said carriage, spaces between adjacent molds whereby. thesidewalls of the molds will be reinforced and air passages between saidmolds are formed, and removable means closing the bottoms oi said molds,Whercbv said molds may progressively have compc sition cork compactedtherein, be subjected to an elevated temperature while passing vatedtemperature may be maintained in saidoven, an ejecting mechanism, acontinuous track structure extending adjacent said compacting mechanism,through said oven and adjacent said ejecting mechanism, said ejectingmechanism being spaced away from said oven to form a low temperaturezone, a carriage movable upon said track structure, a plurailty of moldssecured to and movable with, said carriage, spaces between adjacentmolds whereby the side walls of the molds will be reinforced and airpassages between said molds are formed, a top plate common to all moldsupon said carriage and having a sequence of upwardly flared openin stherethrough' and registering respective y with the narrow open topedges of the various mold spaces, and removable means closing thebottoms of said molds, whereby said molds may progressively havecomposition cork compacted therein, be subjected to an elevatedtemperature while passing through said oven, and to a cooling actionwhile passing from said oven to said ejecting mechanism, and have thecompletely formed composition cork slabs ejected therefrom after leavingsaid low temperature zone.

13. An apparatus for making composition cork slabs embodying therein acompacting mechanism, an oven, means whereby an elevated temperature maybe maintained in said oven, an ejecting mechanism,a continuous trackstructure extending adjacent said compacting mechanism, through saidoven and adjacent said ejecting mechanism, said ejecting mechanism beingspaced away from said oven to form, a low temperature zone, a carriagemovable upon said track structure, a plurality of molds secured to, andmovable with, said carriage, spaces between adjacent molds whereby theside walls of the molds will be reinforced and air passages between saidmolds are formed, a bottom plate having spacedbars thereon, and meanswhereby said bars may be moved into or out of position, closing the openbottom of the various molds upon the carriage, whereby said molds maypro essively have composition cork compacts therein, be subjected to anelevated temperature while passing through said oven, and to a coolingaction while passing from said oven to said ejecting mechanism, and havethe completely formed composition cork slabs ejected therefrom afterleaving said low temperature zone.

i 14. An apparatus for making composition cork slabs embodying therein acompacting mechanism, anoven, means whereby an elewheels and saidplunger, a continuous track structure extending adjacent said compactingmechanism, through said-oven and adjacent said ejecting mechanism,saidejecting mechanism being spaced away from said oven to form a lowtemperature zone, a carriage movable upon said track structure, aplurality of molds thereon, and removable means closing the bottoms ofsaid molds, whereby said molds may progressively have composition corkcompacted therein, be subjected to an elevated temperature while passing through said oven, and to a cooling action while passing from saidoven to said ejecting mechanism, and have the completely formedcomposition cork slabs ejected therefrom after .leaving said lowtemperature zone.

15. An apparatus for making composition cork slabs embodying therein asequence of plungers of progressively decreasing, graduated lengths,means imparting reciprocatory movement to said plungers, a hopperadapted to receive composition cork, means operating in synchronism withsaid plungers, whereby a measured quantity-of composition cork isdelivered from said hopper to molds in advance ofeach of said plungers,an oven, means whereby an elevated temperature may be maintained in saidoven, an ejecting mechanism consisting of a single reciprocatoryplunger, crank wheels, connecting rods between said crank wheels andsaid plunger, the movement of said last named plunger being synchronizedwith that of said first named sequence ofplungers, a continuous trackstructure extending adjacent said plungers, through said oven andadjacent said e ecting mechanism, said ejecting mechanism being spacedaway from said oven to form a low temperature zone, a carriage movableupon said track structure, a

plurality of molds thereon, said molds being so positioned that whensaid plungers respectively are operative upon the composition corkwithin alternate molds, a charge of composition cork will be deliveredto each mold adjoining that upon which a plunger is operative, andremovable means closing the bottoms of said molds, whereby sai molds mayprogressively have composition cork compacted therein, be subjected toan elevated temperature while passing through said oven, and to acooling action while passing from said oven to said ejecting mechanism,and have the completely formed composition cork slabs successivelyejected therefrom after leaving said low temperature zone.-

ry movement to said plungers, a hopper adapted to receive compositioncork, chutes leading therefrom in advance of each of said plungers,means actuated in synchronism with said plungers whereby a measuredquantity of composition cork will be delivere'd to each chute with eachreciprocation of plungers, an oven, means maintaining an elevatedtemperature therein, an ejecting mechanism comprisin a reci rocatory "1.plunger, means where y said p unger is actuated in synchronism with saidtfiI'St "named plungers, a continuous track structure extending adjacentsaid first named plungers, passing through said oven and extendingadjacent said ejecting mechanism, said. ejecting mechanism being spacedaway from said oven to form a low temperature zone of the desiredlength, a carriage movable upon said track structure, a plurality ofmolds fixedly mounted thereon, spacers between said molds forreinforcing the side walls thereof, atfording air spaces betweenadjacent molds, and positioning said molds to bring the alternate moldsin operative relation to said eeasee first named plungers, and theintermediate molds in operative relation to said chutes respectively, atop plate common to all molds upon said carriage, and having upwardlyflared openings above the narrow open top of each mold, guide bars aboveand upon opposite sides of said track structure adjacent said graduatedand said ejecting plungers respectively, means carried by the molds uponeach carriage respectively engaging said guides, whereby the molds uponeach carriage are held in alinement with the plunger or plungersadjacent said guides, and removable means closing the bottoms of saidmolds respectively, whereby said molds mayp'rogressively havecomposition cork compacted therein, be subjected to an elevatedtemperature while' passing through said oven, and to a cooling actionwhile passing from said oven to said ejecting mechanism, and have thecompletely formed composition cork slabs ejected'therefrom after leavingsaid low temperature zone.

In witness whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature thisv 13th 'dayof June, 1923. I

CHARLES E. MoMANUS:

